The Shabbat Project by Cyrus Isaac, Bar Mitzvah

(Students in the Adventure Rabbi B’nai Mitzvah program are challenged to participate in the Shabbat Project. This is what one student experienced.)

When we first started our class, Rabbi Jamie challenged us to take on the Shabbat Project. For four months we tried 4 different activities to do on Shabbat and then for the next 4 months we chose whichever activity we liked the best to repeat so that we could get in the habit of doing it.

For my first Shabbat activity, I decided to set aside time to just relax and read a book. This connects to Judaism because Shabbat is about taking a break from the week and reflecting on the week and I got to do both. I thought it went well because I got to relax and enjoy it. I like reading and could see myself doing this weekly.

For my second Shabbat activity, I took my puppy Paco on a walk. The first thing I had to do was put on his harness. This was a challenge because he didn’t like his harness but I could use cheese. I used the cheese to lure him into my arms, then my dad gave him cheese to keep him happy while I put the harness on. Then I attached the leash and brought him outside. Once outside, Paco wanted to smell, lick, and eat everything. Then he was so eager to explore and keep going that he started to run. The first thing we saw was a leaf he tried to eat. Then we saw a bug. The last time we saw a bug he barked at it, this time he ate it. Then his breath smelled like bug. Then we heard a noise. Paco stopped and looked around for the cause of the noise. We never found the cause of the noise but that didn’t stop us from going on.

Towards the end of the walk he started running, eager to get home but then he saw a tissue and he loves to eat tissues but I said we don’t eat tissues but he wouldn’t keep going so I had to pick him up and carry him inside. Good thing we were right outside our house. Once we got inside he was so happy to see my mom and be warm again. What went well was that Paco and I got to connect and share experiences. This connects to Judaism because it shows compassion for animals, caring for loved ones, and being outside and in nature. I felt happy because Paco was happy. I knew he was happy because he was wagging his tail the whole time. I could see myself doing this weekly because Paco and I enjoyed it.

For my third Shabbat activity, we did a family game night. We played the board game Clue. First, we had to get it out and we played and we had a lot of fun and I ended up winning. This relates to Judaism because we are all together and socializing. It was engaging because the whole family was together, not on our screens or phones so we were really with each other. No one was stressed about work or school and we just had fun together.

For my fourth and final Shabbat activity, my mom and I baked cookies. First, we needed to find a recipe and since my dad is a cook he has a lot of cookbooks. Then after a little looking we decided to use this book called “The Joy of Cooking”. There were a few ingredients we didn’t have so my dad and I went to the store to get them. Then once we had all the ingredients we started to make the dough.The best part was when we licked the little bit of cookie dough off the spatula. We made two batches, one was crunchy and one was chewy and they were all delicious. Making cookies relates to Judaism because it is a family activity. Also, we were making food and there is almost always food at Jewish events except on Yom Kippur when we fast, although even then we eat great food when we break the fast!

The Shabbat practice I chose to stick with was taking my puppy on a walk with my family. This connects to Judaism because we are giving an animal Shabbat so they can appreciate it too, and it is with the whole family.

I chose this Shabbat practice to stick with because it’s not always the same thing, every walk is unique in some way, making it a new experience every time. I can connect with my family and talk about how our weeks were. During the week we are always working and don’t have time to catch up with each other, but on Shabbat, we make time to be together and catch up. And it’s better when we are out in nature because we are not caught up in our houses with our screens but instead can enjoy the wind, the trees, the weather, and nature. Overall it was a great learning experience.

Before I participated in the Shabbat Project, I thought Shabbat was a Jewish holiday that was not very important but now I know that it is a very important holiday. On Shabbat, we get to rest at the end of every week, catch up with family, and enjoy our pets.

In the future, I hope to continue to go on these walks with my family and Paco. Shabbat Shalom!